Truth - Lashton

Chapter 3

Ashton's POV

I was called to the principal after hours. I'm already exhausted and just wanted to head home.

I walked in and went to the office.

"Hello, Mr. Irwin. Please take a seat."

I simply nodded and sat down.

"So, the school was thinking of implementing a health class for students and seeing as you are a dietitian, would you wanna teach that class? We are already setting up the class room and it should be ready by tomorrow."

I softly smiled, loving the idea already.

"Of course. I'd love too but I would like to control what I teach. It's important to me that these kids develop healthy habits and a healthy relationship to food."

He nodded, showing a prideful smile.

"Absolutely. We trust you and your knowledge on this."

"Thank you so much, Sir."

"Thank you too, Mr. Irwin. Have a good evening."

I wished him the same and left the room, heading to my car. I was happy that the school trusted me enough to teach the kids of a healthy balance to food.

Morning 6 AM

I woke up, surprisingly energized enough for the day. I was still gonna grab me a coffee before heading to the school as I didn't wanna face the crash this energy may bring.

At 6:30, I had arrived at the school. The sun was just coming out and birds were already chirping.

When I walked in, I was greeted by the principal who lead me the health classroom.

As he opened the door, I softly smiled at the look of it all. On the desk held posters of health advice.

"We didn't know which ones were true or not so we let you decide."

I chuckled and looked through them. Out of 8, only 4 held true information. I hung 2 up in the back of the class and the other 2 in the front.

"Thank you again, Mr. Irwin."

"It's no problem at all."

"I wanted to express a concern for a student of yours.."

I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"It's about Luke and his eating habits.. I was hoping you could discuss eating disorders in this class.. We sent out an email to all parents and students regarding the new class, they will have this class at the end of lunch rather than their normal classes."

I simply nodded, letting out a sigh.

"Yeah, I'm also quite concerned. He said he was feeling ill yesterday so he didn't eat.."

"At all?"

"At all."

He sighed and took a sip of his coffee.

"Well, get him to eat something.."

"I'll do my best to encourage him to eat but I won't force him. If Luke does have an eating disorder, we cannot force recovery or him to eat. It will mess him up further. It's best to encourage or just give him a safe food if he has one. He will grow to want recovery enough to actually go through with it."

I spoke calmly, it was something we learned when I was first getting my degree. Forced recovery will most likely cause a relapse. It simply isn't the best option.

"Well, we don't offer the best food here.."

"I have some like.. healthy breakfast bars and protein bars I could give him. At least he'll eat."

The man nodded and smiled.

"I'm glad you care about the students."

A wide smile formed on my face.

"I just wanna make these kids happy and be excited about learning and life altogether. I'll help Luke however he needs if he requests it."

He simply nodded in response.

"I trust you on that. Do what you have to do, Mr. Irwin. See you later!"

He said as he left. I made my way to my homeroom and started grading papers.

Alot of the students did well but what surprised me was Luke's, as he got a perfect score. I expected his brain to be more lower on power due to the lack of food but it seemed he prioritized his grades.

8:30 rolls around and students start arriving. Each one smiled or waved at me as they sat in their desks. Luke arrived and he looked a bit better, the eye bags still present.

A few more minutes later of me talking to the class and passing out their papers, the lunch lady drops off their breakfast again.

As I thought, Luke didn't get any.

"Luke, can you come here a second?"

He got up and nervously went up to my desk.

"Yes, Mr. Irwin?"

"Listen. I'm not gonna force you to eat either but.."

I got out 1 healthy breakfast bar and 1 healthy protein bar. I made sure they were low calorie enough just to see if he would eat them.

"I encourage you to eat at least one."

Before I even spoke, he picked them up and checked the nutrition information.

As he kept reading, his smile was growing wider. The alarm bells in ny head definitely were growing louder.

"Is.. Is it okay if I have both?"

He asked, nervousness and embarrassment flooded his tone.

I smiled gratefully at him.

"Absolutely, Luke. Go ahead."

He gave me an appreciative smile and headed back to his desk. I watched happily as he ate both of them. I couldn't help but notice the way he wrote in a small notepad after each bar.

After breakfast was done, I stood up and went to the front of the class.

"Alright everyone!"

I clapped 3 times to shush the talking.

"If you didn't already know. The school has implemented a health class, which you all will be taking after lunch. I will also be your teacher there."

I smiled as some of the class cheered at the last statement. A student raised her hand after a friend of hers whispered something in her ear.

"Yes?"

"What will we be learning? Will it just be like P.E?"

I shook my head.

"No. I'll be teaching you all how to have a healthy relationship with food. I will also be teaching about eating disorders as the growing rate of them is worrying me."

I frowned, flashing a look at Luke who was biting the inside of his lip.

"Okay, that's all. On with the lesson for today."